milliesf
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Encryption or Key Scrambler for Macbook

Is there a Key Scrambler or other encryption software for MacBook?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Oct 28, 2011 2:05 AM

by Richard E. Cooke,Solvedanswer
Richard E. Cooke Richard E. Cooke
Level 2 (220 points)
A:

Is your machine in a public place?

 

To install a keylogger, they need access to your machine, and your login or administrative password - this isn't Windoze where any old piece of spyware can install itself without permission.

 

Then, they need a way to get access to your machine to collect the logged data.  They can try sending it over the internet, but you can easily detect and block that so if they really want to make this undetectable they would not risk it.

 

Finally, what do you have or do that is worth $100,000 or more?  I mean, if a client wanted me to write software to do what your concerned about that is what it would cost them.

 

So you would have to have something some wants that is worth their investing $100,000 to try and get at it.

 

What I'm trying to say is your at much greater risk of having your computer's hard drive stolen.  And to protect you from that, you just have to enable "File Vault".  Then everything on your hard drive is encrypted.

 

Now, before you go and turn that feature on I need to warn you that SECURITY and PRODUCTIVITY are mutually exclusive.  That is, as you increase one, you decrese the other. 

 

For example, with File Vault enabled you will have to enter your encryption password every time you want to use your computer's data.  Most people get tired of doing that, so they either choose simple passwords, write the password down, or turn it off.  All three of those choices defeat the security.  A Password is only useful if it is fairlly hard to crack.  Which also makes it annoying to have to type in over and over.

 

Is there any specific threat, person, or goup you have a concern about?

Posted on Nov 1, 2011 12:43 PM

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milliesf

Q: Encryption or Key Scrambler for Macbook

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Richard E. Cooke,

    Richard E. Cooke Richard E. Cooke Oct 28, 2011 7:56 AM in response to milliesf
    Level 2 (220 points)
    Oct 28, 2011 7:56 AM in response to milliesf

    You have to be more specific.  What do you want to encrypt?

  • by milliesf,

    milliesf milliesf Oct 28, 2011 1:05 PM in response to milliesf
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 28, 2011 1:05 PM in response to milliesf

    Hi Richard,

    I would like to encrypt everything I type on a keyboard, in case an undetectable an key logger has been installed on my computer.

    Thank you!

  • by cereskit,

    cereskit cereskit Oct 28, 2011 7:24 PM in response to milliesf
    Level 1 (45 points)
    Oct 28, 2011 7:24 PM in response to milliesf

    Well.. there's file vault, which encrypts your data to a certain extent.. but you'll probably want more security than that...

  • by Richard E. Cooke,Solvedanswer

    Richard E. Cooke Richard E. Cooke Nov 1, 2011 12:43 PM in response to milliesf
    Level 2 (220 points)
    Nov 1, 2011 12:43 PM in response to milliesf

    Is your machine in a public place?

     

    To install a keylogger, they need access to your machine, and your login or administrative password - this isn't Windoze where any old piece of spyware can install itself without permission.

     

    Then, they need a way to get access to your machine to collect the logged data.  They can try sending it over the internet, but you can easily detect and block that so if they really want to make this undetectable they would not risk it.

     

    Finally, what do you have or do that is worth $100,000 or more?  I mean, if a client wanted me to write software to do what your concerned about that is what it would cost them.

     

    So you would have to have something somebody wants that is worth their investing $100,000 to try and get at it.

     

    What I'm trying to say is your at much greater risk of having your computer's hard drive stolen.  And to protect you from that, you just have to enable "File Vault".  Then everything on your hard drive is encrypted.

     

    Now, before you go and turn that feature on I need to warn you that SECURITY and PRODUCTIVITY are mutually exclusive.  That is, as you increase one, you decrese the other. 

     

    For example, with File Vault enabled you will have to enter your encryption password every time you want to use your computer's data.  Most people get tired of doing that, so they either choose simple passwords, write the password down, or turn it off.  All three of those choices defeat the security.  A Password is only useful if it is fairlly hard to crack.  Which also makes it annoying to have to type in over and over.

     

    Is there any specific threat, person, or goup you have a concern about?

  • by milliesf,

    milliesf milliesf Nov 1, 2011 10:30 PM in response to Richard E. Cooke
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 1, 2011 10:30 PM in response to Richard E. Cooke

    Hi Richard,

    Thank you so much for explaining in detail what has to be done to install a keylogger.  The key words for me were,"this isn't Windoze where any old piece of spyware can install itself without permission." I will try File Vault, it seems that should solve our problem.  Again, I appreciate the thoroughness of your response!

  • by Richard E. Cooke,

    Richard E. Cooke Richard E. Cooke Nov 2, 2011 4:40 AM in response to milliesf
    Level 2 (220 points)
    Nov 2, 2011 4:40 AM in response to milliesf

    Your welcome, and I appologize if I was too intense (bordering on rude).  Thanks to Hollywood and certain news agencies, I tend to get a lot of questions over and over and over that are missing the point.

     

    If you were my client, I would even kick around the PRO/CON of File Vault before advising you use it.

     

    For example, how is it going to affect your backups?

     

    Please make a fully informed decision.  Do lots of reading and ask questions.

  • by Macrognome,

    Macrognome Macrognome Dec 4, 2015 2:48 PM in response to Richard E. Cooke
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 4, 2015 2:48 PM in response to Richard E. Cooke

    Would this still hold true today for a Mac Mini I've recently purchased. As I understand it, and correct me if I'm wrong, internet thieves have much more sophisticated means of accessing computers and have started targeting Apple products just because so many have switched to them. I'm concerned purely on the basis of using my computer for a lot of personal financial transactions and British banks and Companies don't fill me with confidence in respect of security measures as they're more interested in ripping us off. Cynical I know but suffering from Corporate greed over the years does that to you.